Magnetic toy



May 1, 1962 G. H. BISCHOFF MAGNETIC TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 19, 1960 FIG.3

BYQLM irfi ArraR/vEy y 1952 G. H. BISCHOFF 3,031,798

MAGNETIC TOY Filed May 19, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 22 I6 n l5 INVENTOR 3 GUSTAV HBISCHQFF BY @gum. K i ATY ORNEY Unite tree 3,031,798 MAGNETIC TOY Gustav H. Bisehofi, 7489 Drenel Drive, University City, Mo. Filed May 19, 1960, Ser. No. 30,331 Claims. (Cl. 46241) This invention relates in general to amusement devices and, particularly, to a magnetic toy.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy adapted to travel descendingly along a vertical surface as well as along either the upper or under face of an inclined surface, and having means for maintaining constant engagement with such surfaces during the course of its travel so that a rhythmic cycle of movement will be achieved.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic toy which is capable of versatility of usage to provide either a source of passive pleasure and entertainment or to be used actively for the development of skill and dexterity; and which in motion simulates a tumbling or end-over-end action so that a variety of surface ornamentation may be provided to heighten the animated, highly diverting effect thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a magnetic toy which comprises a marked simplicity of parts; which may be made most economically; which does not incorporate intricate motor means, being selfcontained and not requiring the release of applied and stored energy for operation; and which is highly durable in usage.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic toy constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the toy;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the toy illustrating the movement thereof in travel descendingly along a vertical surface.

FIGURE 4 is a side view of another form of magnetic toy constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the form of the toy shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an end view of the form of the toy shown in FIGURE FIGURE 7 is a side view of the toy of FIGURE 4 illustrating the movement thereof along the undersurface of an inclined surface.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical transverse section taken along the line -h of FIGURE 7.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which disclose practical embodiments of the present invention, A designates a magnetic toy incorporating a generally flat, symmetrical body 1 having opposed faces 2, 3, parallel, narrow sides 4, 4, and parallel ends 5, 5' extending transversally between said sides 4, 4' which ends are rounded or formed upon a radius. Body 1 may be of any size, but for normal usage it has been found most desirable that its dimensions be such as to permit of ready manipulation in a users hand. Mounted in each end 5,5 of body l is a magnet 6, 7, respectively, which are contoured to conform with the character of the related end so as to form integrated portions of body 1. Each magnet 6, '7 is exposed on both faces 2, 3 of body 1, being continuous therewith as well as along the related ends. Magnets 6, 7 are in axial parallel relationship and presented in planar alignment.

Provided intermediate magnets 6, 7, desirably within 3,d3l,78 Patented May I, 1962 the transverse center portion of body 1, and projecting from each face 2, 3 of body 1 is a transverse pivot axisforming portion or rocking surface 8, 9 respectively which are in immediately corresponding positions on each face 2,3 be axially aligned with magnets 6, 7 and which eX- tend outwardly from the respective faces 2, 3 of body 1 beyond magnets 6, 7, as may be more clearly seen in FIGURE 2 for purposes presently appearing.

It is to be especially noted that body 1 may be fabricated of any suitable, light weight, durable material, such as wood, plastic, and the like whereby the weight thereof is relatively reduced with respect to the combined weight of magnets 6, 7, so that the gravitational pull on toy A will be appropriately countered by the holding power of magnets 6, 7 when engaged to an attractive surface, to assure orderly, rhythmic movement of toy A in actual operation.

In usage toy A is applied to a convenient metallic surface, as at B in FIGURE 3, such as, for example, the side of household appliances as refrigerators, washing machines, etc. which are attractive to magnets 6, 7 with one of the magnets 6, 7 engaging same. For purposes of illustration body 1 is shown in FIGURE 3 with magnet 6 at its lower end and in engagement with surlace B while magnet 7 is disposed at its upper end and spaced from surface B through the abutment of rocking surface 8 thereagainst. The user will then, in order to initiate descending movement, lightly flick or pull, as with a finger, the upper end of toy A downwardly whereupon, with engaged magnet 6 as a center or pivot, body 1 will swing through an arc of substantially Such swinging will continue until rocking surface 9 is brought into contact with surface B whereupon body 1 will pivot transversally thereon causing the erstwhile engaged and now upper magnet 6 to be disengaged from surface B and the new lower magnet 7 to become engaged with said surface. Thereon said latter magnet 7 will serve as the pivot for toy A as the same swings downwardly thereabout through a successive arc of substantially 180 and such movement will continue alternatingly until further travel is inhibited by arrival at the end of the course of travel such as at a floor.

Thus, first one magnet 6 or 7 as the case may be and then the other magnet engages surface B along which toy A progresses, with such holding action assuring orderly descent of toy A to produce the unique tumbling-like motion so very fascinating and diverting to the users. The pivot axis-forming portions or rocking surfaces 8, 9 prevent the simultaneous engagement of both magnets 6, 7 with the travel surface as the same project outwardly beyond the planes of magnets 6, 7 and also serve to provide a desired rocking movement with respect to the vertical surface so that the magnet to become engaged is brought more forcefully into such state while the theretofore engaged magnet is provided requisite force for overcoming the attractiveness of the surface and to effect disen agement therefrom. Thus, the relationship of magnets 6, 7 to each other and to the pivot axis-forming portions are most critical for achieving the unusual effect obtainable by operation of toy A.

As stated above the weight of body 1 is most limited with respect to the weight of magnets 6, 7 so that the latter control the operation of toy A, for if the gravitational pull upon toy A was of sufficient extent it would overcome the holding action of magnets 6, 7 and thereby deny the captivating action of the present invention. Also it should be readily noted that various types of surface ornamentation might be applied upon the opposite faces of body 1 so as to heighten the animated effect such as by depicting thereon a human being as a clown, tumbler or the like, or, if desired, some form of animal. It will be recognized that toy A may be most economically manufactured as the same is highly durable in use so that youngsters may subject it to very rough usage without fear of breakage. Furthermore, there are no moving parts or intricate mechanisms to achieve motion within body 1 whereby its reliability in use and resistance to wear is assured.

If desired, another form of toy embodying the present invention may be provided as shown at A in FIGURE 4 comprising a relatively thin, fiat, rectangular shaped body 11 which may be provided with a plurality of weight-reducing openings 12, and being centrally provided with -a transversely extending pivot axis-forming portion or rocking surface 13; said latter projecting outwardly of the opposed faces of said body ll. Along its side edges said body 11 is secured in any suitable manner, as by glue or the like, to a pair of guide plates 14, 14' which latter are of greater length than body 11 and extend beyond each face thereof. The contour of said guide plates 14, 14' may be of any selected character although it is preferable that such be of minimal weight consistent with relative rigidity, for purposes more obvious hereinbelow. At each end of body 11 is a magnet 15, 16, respectively, being of rod formation and extending between guide plates 14, 14 with their ends suitably secured therein. The diameter of magnets 15, 16 is greater than the thickness of body 11 (see FIGURE 4) so that port-ions thereof will project equally beyond each face of said body 11. Magnets 15, 16 are in axially parallel relation to said pivot axis-forming portion 13, being equidistant therefrom. However, said pivot axis-forming member 13 extends outwardly beyond the magnets 15, 16 (see FIGURE 4) for purposes more fully described in conjunction with toy A hereinabove.

Toy A is adapted for travel along an elongated, manually operated support such as a four-sided tube shown at B. The cross section of said tube B is slightly less than the width of body 11 so that guide plates 14, 14' will be closely spaced to the adjacent side faces of said tube B and thus serve to provide lateral stability for toy A as it progresses along support B.

The operation of toy A is substantially the same as that of toy A above described, with magnets 15, 16 and pivot axis-forming portion 13 cooperating to produce the fascinating tumbling-simulative movement. However, by use of support member B the user will more actively participate in the operation of toy A and thus utilize manual dexterity and skill. Thus, by holding tube B in inclined attitude with its outer, free end downwardly, toy A will travel descendingly along the under surface thereof and when it reaches the outer, free end, the user, by dextrous, upward swinging of tube B, so as to reversely incline same, with the outer free end thereof disposed upwardly of the users hand, may cause said toy A to move about the end extremity of tube B for continued travel descendingly along the upper surface of said tube B, toward the user. By this manipulation through alternating upward and downward swinging of tube B, toy A may continuously move along the surfaces thereof and, if sufficient dexterity is developed, the user may even cause the toy A to be thrown into the air and then caught upon tube B.

In View of the foregoing, it is obvious that the present invention is readily adaptable for both passive and active play so that it will appeal to a wide range of age groups. As indicated, guide plates 14,14 merely prevent undesired lateral shifting of toy A with respect to tube B as it moves therealong and thus assures maintenance of its course of travel.

It should be understood that changes and modifications I in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the amusement device may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a metallic surface, a toy comprising a body, a pair of magnets provided on said body in spaced apart relationship, for alternatingly engaging said metallic surface and said body having a pivot portion provided between said magnets.

2. In combination with a vertical metallic surface, a toy adapted for gravity-impelled tumbling descent along said surface comprising a body fabricated of non-magnetizable material, a pair of spaced apart magnets provided on said body for alternatingly engaging said metallic surface, said magnets being aligned planarwise, and said body having a transverse pivot forming portion between said magnets projecting outwardly beyond the plane of the magnets for rockable movement on said metallic surface.

3. In combination with a vertical metallic surface, a toy adapted for gravity impelled tumbling descent along said surface comprising a bodyfabricatedof non-magnetizable material having first and second corresponding faces, a magnet carried at each end of said body with opposite portions thereof continuous with each of said first and second faces, said magnets being planarwise aligned, and said body having a transversely extending pivot-forming portion intermediate its ends and projecting outwardly from each of its said first and second faces beyond the plane of said magnets for rockable movement on said metallic surface.

4. A toy as described in claim 3 wherein the magnets are in mutual axial parallel relationship extending transversely of said body.

5. A toy as described in claim 3, wherein a portion of each magnet forms an integral part of the proximate end of said body and said portion of each magnet is formed on a radius.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,236,234 Troje Aug. 7, 1917 1,494,963 Smith May 20, 1924 2,751,707 Kask June 26, 1956 

